Prelate supportive in abortion case

VATICAN CITY – An influential archbishop said Brazilian doctors didn't deserve excommunication for aborting the twin fetuses of a 9-year-old child who was allegedly raped by her stepfather because the doctors were saving her life.

The statement by Archbishop Rino Fisichella in the Vatican newspaper yesterday was highly unusual because church law mandates automatic excommunication for abortion.

Fisichella argued for a sense of “mercy” in such cases and respect for the Catholic doctors' wrenching decision, and strongly criticized fellow churchmen who singled out the doctors and mother for public condemnation.

Associated Press

Chávez repudiates Russian-base offer

CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chávez said yesterday that Russian bombers would be welcome in Venezuela, but the socialist leader denied that his country would offer Moscow its territory for a military base.

Chávez – a fierce critic of Washington with close ties to Russia and Cuba – said his government did not raise the possibility, as Russian media had reported.

Associated Press

Hungarian police detain protesters

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Several thousand people held anti-government protests in the Hungarian capital during a national holiday yesterday, and police detained 35 people.

Dressed in riot gear, the police chased some protesters through the streets of Budapest and prevented them from reaching Parliament, where violent anti-government protests had taken place in 2006.